Do You Use Controlled-Release Lawn Fertilizer?

In response to an article published Tuesday on Patch about local corn growers now experimenting with an innovative fertilizer technology on their crops called a few readers commented that landscapers and homeowners should also take advantage of the product.

“The huge problem of using chemicals, fuel, water, money, time and creating noise pollution that result from maintaining lawn is not yet addressed,” wrote one reader. “Go with native planting instead. That will really be a win-win.”

For years, Long Island farmers and environmentalists have been trying to find ways to balance making sure crops have enough nutrients to grow while protecting ground and surface water from being overloaded with nitrogen — a phenomenon scientists have blamed for harmful algae blooms and other environmental problems.

And, according to Becky Wiseman of — the purveyors of this latest farming experiment — controlled-release fertilizer has been available commercially through several different companies for quite some time to homeowners, landscapers and others who work with greenery. So we want to know — are you taking advantage of the technology and if not, will you? Do you use native plantings in your gardens and flowerbeds? What are some other ways you are trying to help the environment in your own backyard?

Let us know in the comments below.